Cat breeds: breed profiles, coat types and how to choose

Complete topic guide

Who decides what counts as a cat breed

Dogs have one dominant international federation, the FCI. Cats do not. Several registries keep their own breed lists and standards, and this guide relies on two of them:

• The Cat Fanciers’ Association (CFA), founded in 1906 and describing itself as the largest registry of pedigreed cats. Its judges evaluate each cat against a written breed standard (CFA).
• FIFe (Fédération Internationale Féline), a federation of national cat clubs officially established in 1950, with 42 members from 41 countries that share rules on breed standards, breeding, registration, shows and judges (FIFe).

Other registries, such as TICA, have their own lists. The practical consequence: a breed recognized by one registry may not be recognized by another. The Scottish Fold is the textbook case. The CFA accepts it, but it does not appear on FIFe’s list of recognized breeds (FIFe breeds).

A breed standard describes the ideal cat of that breed: head, body, coat, accepted colors and, often, expected temperament. It is what show judges use, and a far better reference than a seller’s listing.

Coat types

Coat is the first practical filter, because it sets your grooming routine:

• Longhair: the Persian, whose long, thick coat needs frequent combing. The CFA calls grooming a significant commitment for this breed.
• Semi-longhair: the Maine Coon and the Ragdoll. Less work than a Persian, but expect combing one to three times a week.
• Shorthair: the Siamese, British Shorthair and Bengal. A weekly brush is usually enough.
• Hairless (or nearly): the Sphynx. No brushing, but regular baths, because the skin is oily.

Some breeds come in both coat lengths, including the Scottish Fold and the Bengal.

Popular breeds at a glance

Origin, coat and temperament follow the CFA breed pages; recognition follows FIFe’s breed list.

FIFe’s categories are an internal grouping; they say nothing about a breed being better or rarer.

How to choose

• Start with coat and time. A Persian that is not combed gets matted and uncomfortable. If you cannot comb often, choose a shorthair.
• Match energy to your routine. Bengals and Siamese are described as active and attention-seeking; British Shorthairs and Persians as calm.
• Ask for the parents’ health tests. The registries themselves name inherited conditions that breeders screen for: polycystic kidney disease in Persians, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in Maine Coons, Ragdolls, Bengals and Sphynx.
• Read the standard, not the ad. “Teacup”, “giant” or “rare” colors outside the standard are sales language.
• Check the papers. A pedigree from a recognized registry is what makes a cat a member of the breed.

What about mixed-breed cats?

Most pet cats are mixed-breed domestic cats, and that is not a lesser choice. The CFA offers a companion-cat registration for non-pedigreed cats (CFA), and FIFe has a House Cat standard judged on health, well-being and temperament, which accepts any color, coat and tail (FIFe House Cat standard). Adopting an adult cat from a shelter has a real advantage: you already know its personality.

For coat care, see cat grooming basics. This content is for information and does not replace a visit to a veterinarian, who should assess your cat’s health.